Shaman Teacher: A Serious Request

[lestismitethee]

Namaste...

Before I begin, I need to address something first. I am in need of a Shaman teacher. For about a year now I have been trying to find information on Shamanism, journeying, spirit guides and animals... but no one seems to have any first-hand experience. People tell me to check these sites, read these books, do these spells, rituals, meditations, and so on... But no one I've ever talked to has any real experience, only things they've read or heard from others. I have tried tons of methods but I feel like I can only peek at the big picture. And I know I need a teacher of some sort.

I thought I had finally found a Shaman teacher a couple weeks ago--someone with real knowledge. I talked a lot with her, got to know her, got advice from her... and ignored my gut warning. She turned out to be fake, a liar, even a little crazy. I was so pissed... Because even after all this time of searching, seeking, yearning, I still haven't made any real advances. And the one person I trusted crushed my hope and made me think that maybe real Shamanism was just lost in time or nothing but a joke, a myth in today's world.

So this is my request... If anyone has any real first-hand experience and would be wonderful enough to share them with me, or if you know someone that does and would be able to direct me to him or her, please let me know. I feel so lost, and all I want is a teacher or just someone to guide me.

Thanks, everyone.

-- Gally

[Simply Puzzled]

So this is my request... If anyone has any real first-hand experience and would be wonderful enough to share them with me, or if you know someone that does and would be able to direct me to him or her, please let me know. I feel so lost, and all I want is a teacher or just someone to guide me.

Thanks, everyone.

-- Gally

It would be helpful if you were more specific about what you are looking for. What do you mean by the word shaman? Are you refering to the specific job title among the Tungus tribe? Do you mean the general position among many Central Eurasian tribes? Are you including it as a global phenomena, encompassing the magical practices of practioners from the Aztecs to the Zulu? Are you including the neo-shamanic traditions founded by people like Dr. Harner? Are you including European Witchcraft traditions (Harner certainly does)?

These might seem like very nit-picky questions, but your question seems very vague to me. For example, if you are interested in the neo-shamanic traditions, training will be a simple manner of signing up for classes at the Shamanic Institute and taking classes from a man who has studied shamanism all over the world.

Unfortunately, many, if not most, traditional practices are reserved for those who are spirit-called. You'll know if this happens: look for near-death experiences or spirits throwing a lance through your tongue. There are some in which it can be bought or chosen, but this is going to invovle some serious traveling on your part, and most of the places aren't going to be on Travelocity.

In the end, ours isn't a shamanic culture so I understand your frustrations. If you can narrow it down a bit for me though, I might be able to point you in the right direction.

Not all who wander are lost; may you find what you are seeking.

[skilly-nilly]

I agree with Simply Puzzled---'Shaman' is either a very specific word or an almost meaninglessly general one.

As well, I agree that it isn't a 'teaching' process. When in some cultures the current God-Speaker takes on a student it's not to show them how to do it, it's in acknowledgment of their already-chosen status. The student/apprentice position is a culturally dictated one--the student is in line as the tribe's acknowledged next God-Speaker--and really has nothing to do with the actual 'Shamanic' process.

I don't use the term Shaman myself---I see it as very specific and not pertaining to my Path. But if you want to be a God-Speaker, nothing easier and nothing harder. You have to open yourself up to the/a God/s/dess/desses and wait for Someone/s to choose to answer back.

The first step is to throw yourself over the Precipice of Crazy; the second is to wait to be caught on the way down.

Happy Flying!

[lestismitethee]

It would be helpful if you were more specific about what you are looking for. What do you mean by the word shaman?

You're very right. To specify... I am looking for someone that knows about core Shamanism: a universal path that takes Shamanic practices from all cultures and fuses them into one. I'm used to traveling all over the world from having a military family background, so I don't exactly live in a set culture or country. I also don't know very much about my heritage because my family is so spread out and we never talk.

Even if someone only knew about a specific cultural Shamanism, I would still like to learn it. I love learning about different cultures, spiritual paths, and traveling to new places. Essentially, I just need someone that knows anything about Shamanism first-hand, but most preferably core Shamanism or maybe Nordic or Finnish Shamanism.

My primary focus is to be able to contact my spirit guides. I know I can learn a ton from them. After that, I can learn about healing, journeying, soul retrieval, things like that.

I hope that narrows it down a bit. Thanks for your help, you guys.

-- Gally

[wolf]

You're very right. To specify... I am looking for someone that knows about core Shamanism: a universal path that takes Shamanic practices from all cultures and fuses them into one.

That, unfortunately, is not shamanism ... Harner's notion of "core" shamanism, shamanism divorced from cultural context, is an academic exercise, not a magickal practice.

You will undoubtedly be able to find any number of practitioners in your area that will be happy to charge you money to learn from them.

Follow your dreams and see where they lead you, seeker.

[Shanti]

Shamanism by way of the ability to shift into other worlds, dimensions, or whatever term you like to use, is an ability people still have toady. I have it, a NA medicine man friend of mine has had the ability for ages, but teaching it, I dont know of anyone who can or how that would be done.

I gained the abilities when I had a NDE. So it wasn't a choice. My NA medicine man friend taught me how to live with it and understand it.

I hope you find whatever you are looking for.

[Simply Puzzled]

I am looking for someone that knows about core Shamanism: a universal path that takes Shamanic practices from all cultures and fuses them into one. [...]

Even if someone only knew about a specific cultural Shamanism, I would still like to learn it. [...] Essentially, I just need someone that knows anything about Shamanism first-hand, but most preferably core Shamanism or maybe Nordic or Finnish Shamanism.

My primary focus is to be able to contact my spirit guides. I know I can learn a ton from them. After that, I can learn about healing, journeying, soul retrieval, things like that.
-- Gally

Ah, thank you Gally, you have just made things much, much easier. There is some debate over whether core shamanism is shamanism. First of all, before you continue reading this post, go read this:

http://www.cauldronfarm.com/writing/shaman_compare.html

Welcome back.

As Raven says, the term core shamanism comes from Dr. Harner, popularized in The Way of the Shaman. It's a very good book, and I think one you should definitely own if you don't. It will explain things like journeying (which is how you find spirit guides usually, not the other way around), healing, etc.

After reading going through the book (with a friend you can find one), I would then look at some of his workshops here:

http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/index.php

While I don't practice core shamanism, I do utilize some similar techniques, and I find his cd's are helpful for inducing trance. They can be found on the site, and will be helpful for going through the book, especially if you don't have said friend.

There is some dispute over whether it is actually shamanism. I would probably lean towards the "no" end of the spectrum, but if it is where your heart takes you, call it "mud" and do it anyway.

Before you go start shelling out some serious dollars for training though, find a good university library, sit down, and read as many of the books on shamanism in the anthropology section as you can. Core shamanism is not nearly as universal as Dr. Harner suggests, but this is a secret that can really only be discovered through research. That and Raven's discussion on what core shamanism is and isn't, and Dr. Harner's book, should give you enough information to make an intellegent decision.

As for Nordic/Finnish shamanism, sorry, but probably not going to happen.

Good luck on your journey.

[lestismitethee]

Thanks to everyone for the info and the advice...

It's just so strange (and frustrating) how Shamanism can be so different from person to person. This is probably why I've had such a hard time trying to figure everything out; so many different books, websites, etc. I've been trying to find a spiritual Path to call my own for a couple years and I thought Shamanism would be the right one... In fact, I was so sure. But it just seems too much like I have to be born into it, or follow my cultural heritage, or I need to die and come back, etc. Maybe Shamanism isn't for me... It's hard for me to say it, but I've come to realize it over the past couple weeks.

I really don't know what I am. I've always had the distinct impression I was on the outside of everything, just floating around... Religion, society, families--I never seem to find the right place for me to be. Maybe one day... I'll find the right Path. If not, I'll just continue to be the best person I can be and take care of the Earth and all Her Children with all my power.

Thanks.

-- Gally

[Simply Puzzled]

It's just so strange (and frustrating) how Shamanism can be so different from person to person.

This is because there is no Shaman Pope. Shamanism is about working with the spirits: the spirits of the land, the spirits of your ancestors, the spirits of the tribe, the spirits of the animals. Just as the double hettle loom was independently developed in different areas of the world, so to are some shamans going to arrive at the same conclusion about how to perform a task. There are only so many ways you can enter the unseen worlds. But the nature of the work you do when you get there is going to change depending upon the requirements of the tribe you serve and the spirits you serve, and that's going to be very different in the Amazon than in Siberia.

You'll eventually find where you are supposed to be. And feel free to drop me an e-mail if you need someone to talk to.

[Paracelsus]

I would agree with the scepticism above about Harmer's Core Shamanism. I mean, by all means go along to a workshop, and spend a load of cash, but don't expect to be a Shaman at the end.

If you really want to be a Shaman, you should learn the way that other Shamans do - from the spirits themselves - that is the way.

If you want some good recommended reading, then I would suggest Robert Wallis' "Shamans and Neo-Shamans", which is interesting as it is both an academic text about the construction of Shamanism as a concept, and the record of a practitioner, or anything by Gordon "the toad" McLellan - probably the foremost Shaman (and the real deal) in the UK.

You should also consider that your frustration at not finding a teacher at once may be part of the process - anything worth acheiveing is never easy.

[lestismitethee]

If you really want to be a Shaman, you should learn the way that other Shamans do - from the spirits themselves - that is the way.

This is how I've tried to focus my learning; I thought that if I could just get in touch with my spirit guide again he could teach me... But the first contact I had with him a year ago was the only one, as far as I know. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if he just doesn't want to appear to me again...

[wolf]

There are many different kinds of spirit "guides" and "guardians." Some stay with you, some drop in to teach a particular lesson or give a particular message.

Some are more vocal than others, too. Some might communicate with you through outside means, others through the dreamtime, yet others through tarot or oracles.

Work with what you have, what you know first. Keep a journal or diary. Record your dreams, stray thoughts, things that seem to pop up and try to get your notice, whether it's often seeing crows as you wander about, or you keep seeing Caterpillar heavy construction equipment. The word (in my example, "Caterpillar") may be the message, or the object (a bulldozer)! Sometimes the mundane is used to bring mystical information. But, as Freud is once supposed to have said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

Reread your journal from time to time.

[lestismitethee]

There are many different kinds of spirit "guides" and "guardians." Some stay with you, some drop in to teach a particular lesson or give a particular message.

Some are more vocal than others, too. Some might communicate with you through outside means, others through the dreamtime, yet others through tarot or oracles.

Work with what you have, what you know first. Keep a journal or diary. Record your dreams, stray thoughts, things that seem to pop up and try to get your notice, whether it's often seeing crows as you wander about, or you keep seeing Caterpillar heavy construction equipment. The word (in my example, "Caterpillar") may be the message, or the object (a bulldozer)! Sometimes the mundane is used to bring mystical information. But, as Freud is once supposed to have said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

Reread your journal from time to time.

Thanks for the advice :] You're very right. The animals that pop up in my life usually hold a lot of significance about a situation I'm in or stuff coming up in the next week. I'll make sure to pay even more attention now and see the connections.

-- Gally

[Simply Puzzled]

This is how I've tried to focus my learning; I thought that if I could just get in touch with my spirit guide again he could teach me...

I think the idea that "real shamans (tm)" learn solely from spirits is rather disingenious. There are people like Raven Kaldera, whom I would classify as a real shaman (tm), that are entirely spirit trained, but they are rare. They generally pop-up when all the shamans are dead, and there is no one left to teach them. And the spirits come to you, not the other way around. Virtually all of what we would classify as shamanism is handed down from teacher to student. If you learn from the spirits, it is only because the master is there, providing a vouch for you, introducing you to them, and showing the ways of communing with them.

[Sidhe-Ra]

Well, I don't know that I've been on the board long enough to be disagreeing with people as much as I already have been, but I can only speak from personal experience.

I am currently training in Celtic Shamanism. It IS possibly to learn techniques in order to become a shamanic practitioner, which is different from being a Shaman. To become a 'Shaman' is to be called by spirit, and to completely dedicate you life and being to that task.

I am training, (and admittedly this is mostly in Britain, so unlikely to be of much use to you, unless you're willing to travel), with John and Cailtin Matthews, who run many courses in helping people develop the techniques needed to become an effective Shamanic practitioner and healer. These are in a safe and sheltered environment with a good deal of support, and like any good training, it is a process over some years. (Because this is how they make their living, I find them a bit pricey, though, but very good.) http://www.hallowquest.org.uk
I am also training, although maybe exploring is a better word, within a series of initiations called "Merlin's Wisdom". Again, this is over many years, and also covers techniques, but it is much more involved and intense. Merlin's wisdom is a series of gateways that push you to your limits and open up parts of yourself that lie dormant. It enables you to directly contact and experience the spirits and to connect with the land. the experience is difficult to describe, but it is very unlike any other training I have encountered- it is very, very REAL. This is a system that is being explored by the facilitators in direct collaboration with spirit, not from books or the teachings of others. And although they have to charge to cover costs, it is quite affordable, as they run it at a loss. Keep an eye on www.merlinswisdom.co.uk (http://www.merlinswisdom.co.uk). The website is being re-developed at the moment, but hopefully it'll be finished soon.

As far as Nordic shamanism goes, you could look at Anglo-Saxon traditions- that's the closest I can manage, but it involves many of the same principles and deities. If you haven't already done so, you could read Brian Bates' 'The Way of Wyrd'. It is a fictionalised story based on real practices and beliefs. Brian actually teaches 'Shamanic Consciousness' and I'm attending a very affordable seminar with him this weekend- I'll let you know how it goes.

ANYWAY, the most important thing to know is that once you can journey in the Otherworld, and find your guides and allies, THEY can teach you all you need to know, and will guide you to the experiences you need- and these techniques are available to anyone. The imagination is the tool by which we perceive the otherworld, and we can all imagine...the trick is in training that sense to perceive the truth. And you've got to be a bit mad, too. ;)

Many Blessings,

Em xxx

[Vigdisdotter]

If anyone has any real first-hand experience and would be wonderful enough to share them with me, or if you know someone that does and would be able to direct me to him or her, please let me know. I feel so lost, and all I want is a teacher or just someone to guide me.

Thanks, everyone.

-- Gally

Teh thing about First Hand Experience is that every starts not having any experinace. My point being that at some point you have to stop reading and start doing. Yes this can be dangerous but such can be said for any number of things in and out of Paganism.

Now I have my own experinaces that I'm happy to talk about and share, but I don't consider myself at the level of teacher. So you're welcome to ask but in the end, this is still cyber and it will stil be up to you to put what you learn from books, websites and/or posters into practice.

[Vigdisdotter]

But it just seems too much like I have to be born into it, or follow my cultural heritage, or I need to die and come back, etc. Maybe Shamanism isn't for me... It's hard for me to say it, but I've come to realize it over the past couple weeks.

Among other things, including a community that you serve. So while there are a lot of things that would rule you are a Shaman, none of that woudl rule you out as a Shamanic Practitioner. A Shamanic Practitioner is somene who uses the techniques of shamanism in their own life adn practice, outside of a culteral setting and all that it implies.

As a Shamanic Practitioner, you may find that the things you mentioned DO come about and maybe at some later date you will become a Shaman in truth. But whether you do or don't isn't relivant at this point in time.

I guess I'm saying: look deeper and don't get put off by labels.

[Vigdisdotter]

Reread your journal from time to time.

I couldn't agree more. One thing that has always struck me when looking through mine is how very intermient things are. I make a litel progress then it stops for a while before somethign else happens to restart the process.

That Shamanic Path is a life long one.

[lestismitethee]

Thanks so much to Sidhe-Ra and Vigdisdotter. I'll be sending you private messages in a min ^^
-- Gally

[Sidhe-Ra]

Hi- thanks for your message, I've sent you a new PM today :)

The course with Brian Bates was great fun! Magickally there were a couple of niggly things that could have been done better, but it was a high energy workshop, and very inspiring! It was rather like a trip back to drama school, but exploring the themes of Anglo Saxon mythology and mysticism. I particularly enjoyed enacting the Nordic creation myth! One group was fire, the other ice, and we sizzled in the middle, becoming the great frost giant...It really brought home to me the benefit of group workshops. A very different dynamic from working alone, I reccomend it if you get chance- and if you can find a good one!

Many Blessings,

Em xxx

[riftdrifter]

It just kind of comes to you, you can look and look but in the end if you want it, it will come. My guide came to me when I was struggling with/against a christian mindset trying to deprogram myself. . . and "he/she/it?" basiclly told me how it was to be. and took me into a higher level. now I dont claim to be a shaman and I'm no expert as a matter of fact I'm probably full of it . . . but I can just say this . . . manifest what you want and if it is to be it will happen?

[lestismitethee]

It just kind of comes to you, you can look and look but in the end if you want it, it will come. My guide came to me when I was struggling with/against a christian mindset trying to deprogram myself. . . and "he/she/it?" basiclly told me how it was to be. and took me into a higher level. now I dont claim to be a shaman and I'm no expert as a matter of fact I'm probably full of it . . . but I can just say this . . . manifest what you want and if it is to be it will happen?

That's very good advice, thank you :]

-- Gally